Sweden’s largest national chain of burger restaurants, Max, was one of the first to add emissions calculations next to each item on its menu boards.

More than 92 percent of Swedes want more information about the “green
credentials” of their food, and producers responded to satisfy
customers. Some Swedish companies have labeled their products to show
how many kilograms of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere
during production.

One Swedish burger chain, Max, offers beef alternatives and
signed on enthusiastically to the new recommendations. It became the
first restaurant chain to publish carbon footprints of menu items to
encourage people to eat less beef.

Determining food’s carbon footprint is difficult and nuanced. Complex
production lines make it difficult to track the carbon footprint of an
individual product, and consumer suggestions are not as simple as “eat
less meat.” For example, the guidelines discourage Swedes from eating
cucumbers and tomatoes because in Sweden they can only be grown in
energy-consuming greenhouses. Low-impact vegetables like carrots are
recommended over the less climate-friendly ones.

Washington State lawmakers have banned BPA (Bisphenol A) in baby bottles and food containers for children younger than 3.

Washington joins Minnesota and Connecticut in prohibiting some BPA products. The state of Wisconsin is considering a ban.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently reversed a 2008 finding
that BPA, the main component of polycarbonate plastic, was safe. The
agency said BPA should be studied further for potential health risks to
children.

Plastics made with BPA typically have a number 7 on the bottom or the letters “PC” in the recycling triangle.

The legislature will have to hammer out differences in House and Senate
versions of the bill; the House version extends the ban to sports
bottles. The rule will go into effect in 2011.

The economy may propel consumers in that direction. Last fall, a New
York Times/CBS News poll found that Americans are spending less money
and instead turning to cultural events, hobbies, and family activities.
Lower consumer spending is expected during a recession, but the trend
toward “doing more,” experts said, is new.